Working together
How it works
- 01
Book a session
Mastering starts with a conversation about your record. There are two ways to get started:
Tell me about your record. If you would like a quote first or aren’t sure what you need, submit an inquiry or email me. Beyond the release logistics, tell me what the production process has been like so far and what a great master means for your record. I’ll reply with next steps as well as a quote and timeline.
Book a session. Already know what you need? Fill out the project order form and you’ll get an invoice for a single song or a final quote for an EP or LP within 1 business day.
However you start, I’ll listen to your mixes before mastering. If something would be better adjusted in the mix I’ll let you know. Want more detailed notes on your mix before mastering? Just ask or check the box on the booking form.
You are welcome to attend sessions in-person at my San Diego studio or over webcam with a lossless audio stream. Alternatively, I can handle everything remotely. Most of our communication happens over email, but calls and video meetings are always welcome.
- 02
REF masters
A REF (reference) master is your finished master at the highest possible quality, just not yet in the proper formats for release.
Once you’ve booked and your mixes are in, your REFs typically arrive within 5-7 working days. If you are on a tight timeline, rush delivery is available for singles. For albums and EPs requiring expedited turnaround, get in touch with me before booking to confirm speedy delivery.
REFs come in a single playlist alongside your original mix so you can A/B with ease. Listen in your kitchen, in your car, on your headphones, wherever you listen most.
I want you to be stoked about your masters, so tell me what you’re hearing or not hearing and what you’d like more or less of. I’ll make a new REF until you’re happy.
Your release files are made straight from the REF master you approve, so there are no surprises after you sign off.
- 03
Final masters
Once you approve a REF master, final masters typically arrive within 1 working day in the formats your release needs. Not sure what formats you need? See Formats below or get in touch.
Pricing
Singles are $150.
EPs and albums are about $100 a song. If you’re putting out a run of singles, I can bill them up front at that rate too.
Alternate mixes (instrumentals, a cappellas, clean versions, etc.) are $25 each if you send them within 10 days of mastering the main mixes and $50 after that.
CD masters are an extra $50 for DDP authoring. Vinyl is an extra $100–200 depending on how much the masters need to change to translate to vinyl. Dolby Atmos is quoted per project.
Every project comes with my complete digital delivery package.
Digital delivery
Every project comes with my complete digital delivery package at no extra cost. Your masters arrive in five folders. If you’re releasing digitally you probably don’t need anything else.
- 01
Distribution
_RQMSTR-XX2424-bit WAV files at the native sample rate of the original mix. These are the files to upload to a distributor (DistroKid or similar) for release on every major platform, including the lossless and hi-res tiers of Apple Music, Tidal and Amazon Music. Other sample rates from 44.1 kHz to 352.8 kHz are available on request at no additional charge.
- 02
Video + sync
_RQMSTR-482424-bit 48 kHz WAV files for music videos, film, TV, advertising and sync licensing where 48 kHz is standard.
- 03
Standard resolution
_RQMSTR-441616-bit 44.1 kHz WAV files for distributors, libraries and outlets that require these formats or don’t accept high-resolution files. These files can also be used for CD manufacturing.
- 04
MP3 preview
_RQMSTR-MP3320 kbps MP3 files for sharing, pitching and promo. Not for distribution.
- 05
Archive
_RQMSTR-XX32FPundithered 32-bit floating point WAV files at the native sample rate of the original mix. For archiving, future reissues and any further processing. Not for distribution.
Also available
Formats for CD, vinyl and immersive releases, plus a couple of free extras. Ask for any of them when you book.
Apple Digital MastersFree
_RQMSTR-ADM: 24-bit WAV files (44.1 kHz–96 kHz) optimized for Apple’s AAC encoder per Apple Digital Masters guidelines, making your release eligible for the Apple Digital Master badge on Apple Music.
Sam Kumar Tandon and Rose Quartz Mastering are approved Apple Digital Masters providers.
DSD / DSFFree
_RQMSTR-DSF: ridiculously high resolution DSF files at DSD256 (11.2 MHz), DSD128 (5.6 MHz) or DSD64 (2.8 MHz), for archival and audiophile-grade distribution.
Classical and jazz recordings are occasionally recorded in or more often mixed down to DSD. Digital processing can’t typically be applied in native DSD, so when I receive DSF or DSDIFF sources I convert them once to DXD (352.8 kHz PCM), run them through my analog chain and capture the result back at DXD. Every deliverable, DSD and PCM alike, is then derived from that single DXD master so nothing is converted more than necessary.
CD / DDP+$50
_RQMSTR-DDP: a DDP image of your release, ready for CD replication, with sequencing, track spacing, ISRCs, UPC/EAN and CD-Text embedded. Send me the final track order, titles and codes before the project is complete.
Vinyl+$100–200
Native sample rate 32-bit floating point WAV files for sides A and B and a PDF cue sheet for vinyl manufacturing, packaged as a single .zip. Keep it zipped until it reaches the manufacturer. Send me the final sequencing, side breaks and titles before the project is complete.
The price depends on how much the masters need to change to translate to vinyl.
Dolby AtmosQuoted per project
A 24-bit 48 kHz Dolby Atmos master (ADM BWF) for Apple Music Spatial Audio, Amazon Music and other Atmos-enabled platforms, with an MP4 reference file and a binaural headphone render for review and approval.
If you already have an Atmos mix I can master it from the ADM BWF. If you need one I’ll create it in-house from a wet multitrack of the approved stereo mix (preferred) or stems printed from it. See the Atmos prep guide before you print. Every Atmos master is referenced against the approved stereo master so both presentations feel like the same record.
Alternate mixes$25 each
Many commercial placements require alternate versions (instrumental, a cappella, radio edit, clean version and so on). Alternate mixes should come from the project’s mix engineer. Each one is mastered to match its main version and delivered as 24-bit native-rate and 24-bit 48 kHz WAV files.
They’re $25 each if you send them within 10 days of mastering the main mixes and $50 after that.
Before you send
- Mix prep: how to export and send mixes for mastering
- Dolby Atmos prep: multitracks, stems and ADM files
- FAQ: loudness, true peak, revisions, credits and more
- Terms: payment, revisions and archiving
Book a session
Sessions can be attended in the studio or handled remotely.